Lubrication fitting



Feb. 18, 1941.

Fild: Dec. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE LUBRICATION FITTING r Frank S. Barks, St. Louis, Mo.. assigner-to Lincoln Engineering Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corpo- 'ration of Missouri A Application December 24, 1937, Serial No. 181,513 zo claims. (cl 184-105) the drawing.

This invention relates to ilttings for lubrication, and with regard to certain more specic features, to lubricant delivering fittings for association with lubricant guns and the like.

The invention is an improvement upon the structure disclosed in United States Patents 2,082,521, of F. K. Schneider et al.l dated June 1, 1937, and 2,086,071, of F. H. Ehnts, dated July 6, 1937.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted -the provision of a lubricant fitting in' which a vent ls employed with means for carrying incoming lubricant past said vent, wherein said means for carrying the lubricant past the vent is extended to a point below the lower endv of the tting, whereby trapping of air is prevented wit'hin the space to be lubricated; the provision of a fitting of the cla'ss described constituting a'n article oi' manufacture wherein said 1ubricant-carrying means and the vent are organized compactly as a small unit includingl valved lubricant-receiving elementszand'the provision `oi' an article of the class described which may be made in large quantities at small costs on production apparatus, such as screw machines or the like. Other yobjects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

' In the accompanying drawing, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention- Y Fig. 1 is a'vertical section showing one formv Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is fragmentarily shown at numeral I a boundary member for a lubricant-receiving or 'lubricant compartment. This lubricant compartment may have therein a bearing or other device to be iubricated.

The boundary member I is provided with a threaded opening 3 for receiving the threaded lower end l of the hollow body of the iltting 1.

The body 1 has a rounded lubricant-receiving tip l which is adapted to cooperate with a lubricant nozzle of a lubricant gun or the like to eii'ect a seal in known manner.

lower end of the fitting.` This gives the body 1 a hollow, cylindric form at its base.

A small opening 23 in the body 1 forms a4 coml munication or connectionbetween the counterbore 2|.and the exterior' of 'the fitting. This opening 23 is of the order of is o! an inch in diameter and the other dimensions of the itting are substantially in the proportion shown in Fig. 1. These dimensions are given, not by way of limitation, but to illustrate the compact characteristics of the article.

iBetween the counterbores i3 and 2| is a rightangular shoulder or labutment 24. This shoulder is abutted by the enlarged head 25 of a lubricanttransmitting tube 21. The head portion 25 of the tube 21 has a force-fit in the counterbore'ZI. The head is forced up against the shoulder 24.

A counterbore 29 in the head 25, the same size as the counterbore I3, serves to form a socket for receiving the lower end of the spring I 9. The reaction of the spring I9 in the pocket 29 serves to hold the check valve against the seat I1. In view of the force-ilt between thehead 25 and the counterbore 2|, the reaction of the spring is not capable of pushing the tube 21 out of the counterbore2l.

A feature of the invention is that the tube 21 is carried downwardly to a point below the lower end 3i of the main body of the fitting. This condition is shown in Fig. 1 wherein the lower end v33 of the tube 21 is shown lower than the lower end 3| of the body oi the fitting. The outside of the tube 21 is smaller than the inside of the counterborev 2| and is also tapered so as to facilitate the entry of air into the space between the tube 21 and the counterbore 2|.

From the above. it willbe seen that lf a. sealed connection be made between a lubricant'gun and the tip 9, lubricant may be forced from the gun through the receiving/opening II, the pressure automatically opening the check valve I5.l The' lubricant proceeds down through the counterbores I3, 29 and through the tube 21. The lubricant thus by-passes the opening 23 and the lower end oi the counterbore 2l. The lubricant4 thus is positively placed at a point below the Cil lower endof the ttlng. Hence, any gathered air in the lubricant compartment is forced from the top of the incoming grease, as said grease fills the compartment. The air is expelled through .the passages 2| and 23.

. cessive internal pressure.

Another advantage of the invention is the simplicity of theconstruction and its compactness, whereby it may be used as an integral part of the small sizes of ttings employed in automotive lubrication and the like. For example, the fitting shown in Fig. l has a diameter at the base of the tip 9 of only 1finch and' its over-al1 length, including the lower extension 23 of the tube 21, is of the order of H of an inch As above indicated, the vent 23 has the incidental advantage of preventing the application' continuous counterbore 2|, instead of the com- 2| and I3 shown in' `bination of counterbores Fig. 1.

Crosswise of the counterbore 2| and placed through suitable openings in the wall 1 is-a pin 35, the purpose of which is to cooperate/with a bayonet coupler of the class often used on grease guns.4 Sealing is accomplished at the end of the body portionl 1 and around the inlet opening Il. It will be seen that the seat I1 in this case is between the inlet opening and the continuous counterbore 2|.

In Fig. 3, as in Fig. 1, the head 25 of the lubricant-transmitting tube 21 has a force-nt in the counterbore 2|, but in this case it abuts the lower side oi pin 35, instead oi a specially formed shoulder.- In this form of fitting, the spring I9 reacts against the pin 35. Hence, the pin I5 has three functions,v that is, (1) to .afford a reaction point for the spring I9, (2) cooperation with the bayonet coupler, and (3) a limitingstop against further forcing in of the head 25 of the tube' 21.

'I'he operation of theinvention-shown in Fig. 3

is substantially the same as that shown in Fig.l 1, although the mode ofcoupling and sealing bein a manner which is known.

In Fig. 5 is shown another type of tting in 'which like numerals designate like parts. .1

In this case the check valve is not of. the ball type but of the disc. type. such as shown at "numeral 31. 'I'his valve4 has a separate seal 39 which is pressed against the seat I 1 and also carries a pilot 4| which through the lubricant-receiving Opening Il. v

- 'I'he valve 31 is arranged in a counterbore 43. A spring l5 normally pushes the valve shut and yreacts on the bottom of the counterbore 43.

In this' form of the invention the lubricanttube 21 is formed integrally with the cup-shaped member I1 (which carries 'the counterbore I3), and said member l1 isv pressed from the top into an opening ll .of the body 1, certain lip portions Il being automatically curled intoclinching position in a grooveduring the tween the lubricant gun and iittings are different assembly operation, as described in Patent 2,153,-

33() of Jonathan Kludt, for lubricant fltting,

dated April 4, 1939.

The feature of the clinch at 5| upon assembly comprises no part of the present invention and the same is accordingly not claimed herein. It is 43 Vis a smaller counterbore 53 in which slides thehollow lower end 55 of the valve 31. The hollow portion of the valve communicates or connects with the. counterbore 43 through openings 51.

The member 41 carries a head 59 by which the coupling connection is made with a suitable lubricant gun. The coupling effects opening of the valve 31 and lubricant then flows through the inlet opening il, counterbore 43, and into the openings 51 to be delivered downwardly into the counterbore 53. It then passes out through a passage 6I and the lower outlet end 33 of the tube 21.

From the above it will be seen that one common feature of the three forms of the invention disclosed is the inlet opening with a check valve associated therewith. Secondly, each has a relief port 23 inthe body portion of the Iitting. This' is by-passed by a lubricant-transmitting tube 21.

o f the tting to a point below its lowermost end. Another commonfeature is that the lubricanttransmitting tube 21 is organized with the body portion of the itting simply by a forced t.

In viewA of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended partment and having a lubricant inlet, a valve behind the inlet, a lubricant-transmitting tube associated with the body portion, said -tube having an opening Abetween said inlet when said valve is open and the inside of said lubricant compartment,said tube heilig formed to allow an annular space between part of it and the hollow interior of the body portion, and said tube being oi' a length adapted to extend downwardly below the lower end of said body portion.

2. As an article of manufacture, a hollow lubricant-receiving fitting lcomprising a body por-I tion adapted to be attached to alubricant v.compartment and having al lubricant inlet, a valve behind the inlet, a lubricant-transmitting tube associated with the body portion, said tube hav!` ingv an openingbetween said inlet when said valve is open and the inside of said lubricant compartment, said tube being formed to allow an annular space between parto! it and the hollowv interior of the body portion,- and said tube being of a length adapted to extend downwardly below the lower end of said body portion, said body portion having a relief opening between the region surrounding said tube andthe exterior.

3. A lubricant-receiving fitting for attachment The tube 21 not only by-passes thev outlet port 23, but passes through the lower end vtoa lubricant compartmentcomprising a body' tween said inlet opening and said having an opening communicating with said compartment, said body having a relief port between said opening and the exterior of the fitting on the outside of the lubricant compartment, said.

body also having an inlet opening, and a hibricant-transmitting tube and spaced with respectl thereto, said ,tube extending downwardly to a point below the body portion of the iitting and communicating b etween said inlet opening and said outlet opening but separating said inlet opening from said relief port at points within the fitting.

.4. A lubricant-receiving nttlng for attachment to a lubricant compartment comprising a body having an opening communicating with said compartment, said body having a relief port between said opening and the exterior of the ttlng on the outside of the lubricant compartment, said body also having an inlet opening, and a lubricant-transmitting tube passing within the body and spaced with respect thereto, said tube extending downwardly to a point below the body portion of the fitting and communicating be- A outlet opening but separating said inlet opening from vsaid relief port at points within the ntting, said tube having a head portion arranged with a forced fit within said body portion.

5. A lubricant-receiving fitting comprising a body portion having means at its lower end for attachment to a lubricant compartment, a lubricant-receving head thereon, said head having a lubricant-receiving opening and an enlarged opening behind said lubricant-receiving opening and passing through the fitting, a check valve associated with the lubricant-receiving opening. a spring'for said valve arranged in said enlarged opening, the body portion of the fitting having' a relief communicating between said enlarged opening and the exterior, and a lubricant-transmitting tube having a forced iit with respect to arranged in said enlarged opening,

said enlarged opening, and by-passing said out-l let and extending to a point below the lower end of the fitting,

6. A lubricant-receiving fitting comprising a body having a lubricant-receiving opening, an opening communicating with said lubricant-receiving opening and passing through the tting, the body having an tween said last-named opening and the exterior, and a lubricant-transmitting tube in said lastnamed opening and communicating with said inlet, said tube by-passing said `outlet and extending to a point below the lower end of the fitting.

'7. A lubricating-receiving tltting'comprising a.

body portion having means at its lower end for attachment to a lubricant compartment,a lubricantreceiving head thereon having a lubricant-receiving opening, an enlarged opening behind said lubricant-receiving opening and passing through the fitting, a check valve associated with the lui bricant-receiving opening, a spring for said valve tion of the tting having a relief outlet communicating between said enlarged opening and said exterior, and a lubricant-transmitting tube having a forced nt with respect to said enlarged opening. and by-passing said.y relief outlet and extending to a point below the lower end of the fitting.

8. A lubricant-receiving fitting comprising a body portion having a lower end adapted to be attached. to a lubricant compartment. a lubricant-receiving opening insaid fitting, said iitting passing within the body- Within said outlet communicating be'' portion having ahead adapted the body por-v being hollow and having an outlet relief opening communicating between, the hollow portion and the outside thereof, and a Alubricant-transmitting tube passing from a point below'the hollow portion of the fitting andby-passing lubricant ed lower end, said body portion having a lubricant-receiving opening at one end and a relief outlet between said lubricant-receiving opening 2 and the thread, and a lubricant-transmitting tube in the hollow portion of the body adapted to transmit lubricant from said inlet opening past the outlet and to a point below the lower end of the fitting, said tube having aforced fit Withini the cylindric hollow portion of the tting.

11. A lubricant-receiving fitting comprising a .body portion having a lubricant-receiving inlet,

a threaded lower end adapted to thread into an ropening in a lubricant compartment, said body being hollow, a pin traversing the body portion through its hollow part, a valve associated with said lubricant-receiving opening, a spring biasing said valve-'to a seat reacting against said pin, said body portion having a cylindric hollow portion, a relief outlet between said cylindric hollow portion and the exterior, and a lubricant-transmitting tube having a head providing a forced t cylindric hollow portion, said tube `being of smaller outside diameter than inside diameter of said hollow portion and having a length adapted to transmit lubricant past said outlet and past the lower end of the fitting.

l2. A lubricant-receiving tting comprising a body portion having a threaded lower end, said body portion having a lubricant-receiving opening at its other end, said body being hollow. and cylindric interiorly. a relief outlet between its hollow portion and the exterior, and a tubular portion having a head adapted to be pressed with a forced nt into said hollow portion, said head being arranged between said inlet and said relief outlet and said tubular portion being otherwise smaller than said hollow portion of the body and having a length to extend below. the lowermost point of said body portion;

13. A `lubricant-receiving fitting comprising a body portion having a threaded lower end, said body portion having a lubricant-receiving opening at its other end.- said body being hollow and cylindric interiorly, a relief outlet' between its hollow portion and the exte and a ltubular to be pressed with a forced nt into said hollow portion, said head being arranged between said inlet and said relief outlet and said. tubular portion being otherwise smaller than said hollow portion of the body and having a. length to extend below the lowermost point of said body portion and being exteriorly tapered toward its lower end.

14..A iitting comprising a body portion having a hollow passage therethrough. an outlet between said passage andthe exterior of the tting, means fastening said iltting to a lubricantv compartment, a memberwithin'the hollow portion of the body havinga lubricant-receiving inlet, a. valve associated with said inlet, said member having a` tube extending through and clearing the inside surface of saidpa'ssage, the tube extending to`a point below the lowermost end of the iitting and permitting communication between the lubricantcompartment and said outlet.

15. A lubricant-receiving tting comprising a body portion having a passage therethrough including an inlet, a yrelief outlet, and a tubular member arranged within' said fitting to communicate with said inlet' but preventing communication between said inletand said outlet in the body portion except by way of the tubular portion, the tubular member having a diameter less than the inside diameter of said body portion and a length vadapted to carry lubricant toy a point below the end of the body portion.

16. A lubricant-,receiving iltting comprising a body portion having a passage therethrough including aninlet, a relief outlet, and a tubular memberl arranged within said` fitting to` communicate withf said inletbut preventing communication between said .inlet and said outlet inl the body portion except by way of the tubular portion, the tubular member having a diameter less than the inside diameter of said body portion and a length adapted to carry lubricant to a point below the end of the body portion, said tubular member having a head which force fits the passage inthe body portion 'and is located between said relief outlet and said inlet.

17. A lubricant-receiving tting comprising a body portion having a. passage therethrough in-.

cluding an inlet, a relief outlet, and a tubular Y- me'mber arranged within said tting to communicate with said inlet but preventing communication betweeny said inlet and said outlet in the b ody portion except by way of the tubular portion, the tubular member having a diameter less-than the inside diameter o1' said body portion and a length adapted to carry lubricant to a pointbelow the end of the body portion, said tubular member having a-head which force ilts the passage in the body portion and is located between said relief outletand said inlet vand be-v.

ing tapered downwardly.

18. As an article of manufacture, a lubricantn receiving fitting comprising a member adapted to be attached to a lubricant housing and having a plurality of passages therein, each passage sage, a valve associated with the inlet, and means,

for biasing said valve toward the inlet.

19. A lubricating fitting comprising a tubular casing having means for engagement with a source of viscous lubricant, means for attachment to a member for receiving the lubricant upon discharge from the fitting under pressure, a tubular element disposed within the bore of said casing in spaced relation to the wall of said bore and projecting a substantial distance beyond the end of the casing, and said casing having an opening therein providing open communication between the exterior of the casing and the space between the wall of the casing bore and the outer wall of the tubular element.

20. A lubricant-receiving fitting comprising a hollow body adapted to be attached to, and to communicate with, a lubricant compartment,

said body having an outlet to a point outside of v said compartment, a cup-shaped member in said body and closing it above said outlet, a tubular extension from said cup-shaped member passing through' the hollow body to a point below the lower end of'the body and allowing an annular space between it and the body with which said outlet communicates, said cup-shaped member having a lubricant-receiving inlet, and a valve normally biased toward said inlet and located in the cup-'shaped member.

. FRANK S'. BARKS. 

